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Canon's Four New Network Cameras Introduces Intelligence

SINGAPORE - Canon today announced the addition of four new network cameras to boost its existing lineup of advanced surveillance systems. The fixed dome trio – VB-M600VE, VB-M600D & VB-M700F – and the pan-tilt-zoom VB-M40 are equipped with the latest in intelligent monitoring and low-bandwidth high-quality image streaming, to enhance security systems in commercial buildings, retail stores, public transit areas and environments that need constant monitoring.

Intelligent Monitoring

Improving from the current generation of security cameras, all four network cameras use Canon’s newly-introduced video analytics to detect changes in moving, abandoned and removed-object detection.

The analytics are designed to assist in identifying potentially crucial visual details in video images, along with attempts to tamper with the camera. Users can also adjust the shape and size of the detection area. Following suspicious motion detection, the cameras can trigger a variety of event notifications, sending still images of the anomaly to an email address or mobile phone.

To preserve privacy in sensitive locations, a Privacy Mask function can also be activated to block out areas such as ATM keypads and computer monitors. This allows users to maintain tight security at all times, without compromising passwords and private information.

The new security cameras also include audio jacks for users who require bi-directional sound communication between the camera and a computer-monitoring location. They also support on-screen displays for date, time, and camera location.

Unparalleled, high quality images

All four cameras come equipped with a 1.3 mega-pixel CMOS sensor to capture and stream videos at high quality. Making full use of the highly efficient H.264 compression format to compress the images and combined with the proprietary DIGIC NET image processor, the cameras are able to stream high-quality, 1280 x 960 pixel images without hogging the network bandwidth.

Improved wide-angle lenses

The fixed dome trio – VB-M600VE, VB-M600D and the VB-M700F are fitted with newly developed high precision double-sided aspherical lenses, featuring an ultra-wide horizontal viewing angle of 100 degrees, 3x optical zoom and a bright aperture of f/1.2, allowing for optimal usage in physically tight corridors as well as poorly lit passageways. The electronic rear focus system also allows the lens to continue focusing while zooming, ensuring sharp details at all times.

On the other hand, the pan-tilt-zoom model VB-M40 is also equipped with high precision double-sided aspherical lenses that are capable of a wide 55.4 degree horizontal viewing angle and a 20x optical zoom. The high optical zoom ensures that distant corners are kept in clear view. The VB-M40 achieves this with a compact lens unit, the smallest in its class, and the pan-tilt-zoom capabilities increase viewable areas to a full 360 degrees.

Sensitivity to low light conditions has been heightened by approximately 10 times with an improved Day/Night function. With the intelligent Smart Shade Control function, images captured in situations such as backlit shooting can be improved so that darker subjects are visible without overexposing the brighter areas.

Strong vandal-resistant casing

The VB-M600VE has specially been equipped with a vandal-resistant dome. An original camera damper mechanism and the introduction of aluminum die cast for the base of the body gives it a high shock resistance performance up to 50J impact strength, equivalent to a sack of 50 apples falling from a height of 1 metre straight to the ground.

Network Connectivity

Canon has expanded the compatibility of these network cameras by making them compatible with the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) protocol. This allows the network cameras to communicate with cameras and software from other manufacturers, allowing easy integration into existing security systems and options for future upgrades.

A built-in SD memory card slot is available on these new network cameras, which allows streamed images from the camera as well as uploaded images to be saved to an SD/SDHC memory card during periods of network failure.

Advanced bundled software

To make the most of the network cameras’ capabilities, Canon has bundled the RM-Lite recording software, which can view live H.264/JPEG streams and record the JPEG streams from a maximum of four cameras at a maximum of five frames per second. It is able to register up to four cameras, so users do not have to purchase any additional software to set up a small surveillance network.

Prices & Availability

Pricing and availability of the network cameras will be announced at a later date.